393 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the projects in Waterford city, Dungarvan and the remainder of County Waterford that are currently out to tender; the deadline for receipt of tenders; the period for assessment of tenders received and awarding of contracts; when construction will commence in each case; the estimated duration of the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46911/09]

There are four primary school projects in County Waterford currently on the construction programme. They are: 1. Holy Cross School, Ballycarnane, Tramore (new school), 2. Bunscoil Bhothar na Naomh, Lismore (extension), 3. Campus Project at Carrickphierish (new schools for Gaelscoil na Deise and Waterford Educate Together NS incorporating enhanced facilities for shared community use). All four projects are currently out to tender. Each stage of this process will be completed as quickly as possible. It is expected that all four projects will commence construction in the first quarter of 2010.

The construction period will be finalised upon award of each contract. For a new primary school, the construction period averages from 12 to 18 months, depending on project scale and complexity. Details of the requirements of the Tender Action and Award Process, including time standstill constrictions etc, are set out in the Department's Design Team Procedures, which is available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.

394 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of the 19 November 2009, when a decision will issue to a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46927/09]

As the Deputy is aware, the school to which he refers has made an application to my Department for Major Capital funding for an extension including ancillary accommodation. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a Band 2 rating. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time. In the meantime, the school was recently approved for funding for the provision of additional accommodation for one Mainstream Classroom. Recently, the school requested the Department to review their band rating under the prioritisation criteria. This is being considered and a letter regarding this matter will issue directly to the school authority in due course.

395 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the planning process and construction plans for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [46943/09]

The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction is dependent on the prioritisation of competing demands on the funding available under the Department's capital budget. The proposed building project will be considered in the context of the Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme for 2010 and subsequent years. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the delivery of the project at this time.

396 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for the school building programme that have not received or are still awaiting planning permission; the name, address and roll number of each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46944/09]

397 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of applications for the school building programme which have received full planning permission but have yet to proceed to stage four and commence construction; the name, address and roll number of each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46945/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.

An application for Planning Permission forms part of stage 2(b) of the architectural planning process. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of planning permission for those projects in architectural planning is contained in the tabular statement below. In addition, there are almost 1200 applications for major capital works listed on my Department's web-site. As these have not yet commenced the architectural planning process, none of these applications would have yet reached the stage of applying for planning permission.

398 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of new schools being constructed at stage four under the school building programme; the name, address and roll number of each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46946/09]

399 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of extensions or refurbishments occurring at stage four under the school building programme; the name, address and roll number of each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46947/09]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.

There are currently 26 school building projects involving 28 schools at Stage 4 (details attached). A further 26 projects involving 28 schools have been completed in 2009.

1Design and build contract. Contract awarded however project will not commence on site until early 2010.

2Original contractor went into receivership recently. Project is currently being re-tendered.